Get Out of Trouble Free Cards

I want to share some of the things we're doing in this house that are working.

Not because I'm doing it all right (Truth be told, I'm doing a lot wrong.) or because I'm chock-full of good ideas (I can't take credit for most of these ideas because the bulk of them came from books or magazines or other mothers much wiser than myself.) but simply because I want to share what's working for us and because I want to gleam ideas from what's working around your house as well.

So periodically, I'm hoping to share one new thing that is working around here. I'll share why we're doing it, how we're doing it, and any other tips that I can think of that have helped us along the way.

And in return, I'm hoping you'll share with me what you're doing, why you're doing it, how you're doing it and any other tips you can think of that have helped in your success.

Sound fair?

Get Out of Trouble Free Cards

In all fairness, I have no clue where I got this idea from and the only reason I'm even mentioning it is because I've received so many emails and questions about the Get Out of Trouble Free cards that we give to the kids each year at Christmastime, so I figured I'd share.

And the great news is that this idea doesn't require any long-winded explanation or any great parental feats.

It just requires a printer.

The cards you see my kids holding (above) are the cards I printed up for them last Christmas, but honestly, they aren't anything special to look at. (The cards, not my kids.)

So tonight, I spent a little time making some prettier cards for you all.

To use the Get Out of Trouble Free cards below:

- Double-click on the image you want to save.

- Right-click on the enlarged image and then select 'save as' to save the file to your computer.

- Using a photo editing program like Photoshop Elements, resize the image (I think 3x3's or 4x4's at 300 dpi will look best) and then add a name to it using the font of your choice like I did in the samples below or resize and print them 'as is' and add the name in your own handwriting.

- Give them to your kids on their birthday, on Christmas, or on some random Tuesday for no reason at all.

*Note that these instructions should work similarly for both Mac and PC users.

We just remind our kids that they can't use their Get Out of Trouble Free cards with their school principal or the police.

Thanks a lot from far Israel.
I like the idea a lot and will make the language change in order to adopt it to my girls.
I'ts the first time I'm posting a comment (but following you for over a year) here so I'll use it also to let you know that I find your blog so intresting, nicely framed & with great tips & ideas.
Thanks again,
Michal

Thank you for this Karen, it's the simple ideas that work the best. My children got far too excited in the run up to Christmas, and behaviour developed a downward spiral. A friend suggested I collect some branches while on a walk, maybe spray them gold, silver or white and put them in a vase. using gold or silver card, cut some pointy oval shapes to act as leaves, punch a hole in one end. Cut some parcel ribbon into 6" lengths. Now for the magic......every time your child does something good, positive or kind, write their name, date & deed on the back of a leaf, and hang it on the tree. They just loved showing their daddy when he got home each day how good they'd been, they actually looked for good things to do and help. When Christmas was over and we took the tree down, we used little brass winged clips to make the leaves into mini books for each child. This idea could be adapted into a spring garland, or Easter egg shapes, or butterflies

Thank you! Love them : ) We've been dealing with the 10-year-old "I know everything's" around here lately. She's a pretty good girl for the most part, but thinking she has the right to act much older than 10. For bedtime issues, (I stole this from a friend and its working) Tonight's bedtime behavior affects tomorrow's. So, if she's in bed on time and doesn't get back out for (drink, potty, misc random item) after she's in, then she gets to stay up 15 minutes later than regular bedtime the next night. If she isn't in bed on time or gets up after tuck in, then she looses the privilage of staying up later the next night. So far its working. It's kind of like a carrot at the end of the stick so to speak : )

Hi Karen. love the get out of trouble free cards- great idea and execution!

my 13 year old twins are always hocking me about playing video games. they're excellent students and just got into an amazing private nyc high school for next year on full scholarship.

however, there was a 6/10 on a quiz this past week which was definitely NOT ok, but he was clambering to get to the xbox. I told him he had to say "i got a 6/10 on a quiz but i think it's more important to play video games than to study for the test (in the same subject that was going to be given later that week). He couldn't say it, so he couldn't do it. Worked like a charm. I even surprised myself with that one!

Thank you so much for sharing! I would have been the kid who planned my day around those cards as well. I love these though. I'm going to have to store them away for a bit longer so that my kiddos will understand how to use them. I also loved the leaves on the tree idea. We just may have to try that for Easter this year.
THanks again!!

These are neat. My oldest (25) would have blown through them all right away. She was the kid who tried my patience the most. My almost 15 yr old, she is really good. Attitude gets a little much, but nothing like her sister. This one works hard on her homework, for the most part does what she's told without any grief. What works with her is taking her iPad away. My little one (6) isn't too much trouble yet either. Come talk to me when he is in his teens. His worst thing, not wanting to eat his dinner and picking up his toys. I just confiscate the toys for quite awhile.

I love the cards Karen! I have to admit my first thought was printing off some cards for my husband lol...don't they always need a get out of trouble for free card? Our kids are adults but I am definitely giving some to the hubby...should be fun!

karen, you are so REAL and HUMBLE about being a mom.. i appreciate that while other blogs/friends can try so hard to be 'perfect'. thank you.. and i will so be giving these out for their valentines this year.

Karen: I want to start by saying that I love your blog. I don’t usually don’t comment on blogs but I just wanted to tell you that my 14 and 17 year old kids got a hoot out of this idea… especially my 14 year old daughter.
I wanted to share something that has always worked in my family and hopefully you can try it out too. My kids used to ask for toys/games or special privileges and instead of just saying “NO”, I would have them write me a letter convincing me that they should be able to have/do what they were requesting.
Just recently my daughter wrote me a 3 page letter to convince me to get her an iphone. In this letter she wrote how I could use it anytime to take pictures so that I could scrapbook more. My favorite reason was if she had one she could use it as her schoolwork agenda and not have an excuse that she left her agenda at school… she was pretty darn clever in all her reasons WHY… with 3 pages of well thought out reason… she did end up getting one for Christmas.